USS TRIPOLI (LHA 7)

BLAZON

SHIELD: Azure (Dark Blue), a pall inverted Gules, fimbriated Or between in dexter chief a sun in glory above a pictorial of sand dunes, all Proper, in sinister a demi-trident with the center tine as a lightning bolt of the third, and in base three bars wavy Celeste fimbriated Argent (Silver Gray) surmounted by a magnolia flower Proper; all within a diminished bordure of the third.

CREST: From a wreath Or and Azure (Dark Blue), three anchors Argent (Silver Gray) below a pair of Kentucky long rifles in saltire Proper, between five plates bendwise and five plates bendwise sinister; overall an eagle, wings inverted, Proper bearing the arms of the United States perched upon an arrow fasces fesswise Or to sinister, interlaced with an olive wreath Vert.

MOTTO: A tri-partite scroll Azure doubled Or inscribed “IN ÆRE TERRAM MARIQUE” Or. SUPPORTERS: Behind the shield, a USN Officer sword in dexter chief, a USMC Officer Mameluke sword in sinister chief, a USN cutlass in dexter base, and a USMC NCO sword in sinister base saltirewise points downward, all Proper.
 

SYMBOLISM

SHIELD: The colors of the shield--dark blue, red and gold--are associated with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. These specific colors represent both the current crew as well as the Marines and Sailors who fought in the Battle of Derne at Tripoli. The inverted pall partitions the shield into thirds, signifying LHA 7 as the third ship to bear the name USS TRIPOLI. The sun in glory above sand dunes depicts the 600-mile desert journey from Alexandria, Egypt to Derne, Tripoli led by General William Eaton, USA, and First Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon, USMC. The trident, featuring a lightning bolt, depicts the three prongs of USS TRIPOLI’s capabilities--air, land and sea. The lightning bolt also represents the F-35B “Lightning II” which USS TRIPOLI can fully support. The three bars wavy represent USS TRIPOLI’s ability to navigate across the oceans in defense of our national interests. The magnolia flower pays homage to the State of Mississippi, where USS TRIPOLI was built. All three venues--land, air and sea--are referenced in the shield to reflect and reinforce the ship’s motto.

CREST: The three anchors represent the USS ARGUS, USS HORNET and USS NAUTILUS that provided necessary support, supplies and money to Eaton and O’Bannon along the trek to Tripoli. Additionally, the ships aided Eaton and O’Bannon during the battle with cannon fire upon the enemy’s strongholds. The two Kentucky long rifles are in honor of O’Bannon serving in the Kentucky State Legislature and Senate after his military career as well as denoting his final resting place. Further, the rifles are angled to signify O’Bannon as the first person to raise the American flag in victory on foreign soil. The ten musket balls pay homage to the eight Marines and two Sailors who were engaged in the Battle of Derna. The eagle, bearing the arms of the United States, is emblematic of Eaton’s appointed position as a Consul of Tunis. The fasces, symbolic of leadership and authority, emphasizes Eaton’s diplomatic role. The arrow within the fasces conveys direction, as well as serves to imply a backing of military force. The olive wreath is associated with peace and compliments the conciliatory efforts made by Eaton prior to the Battle of Derna.

MOTTO: “IN ÆRE TERRAM MARIQUE“ translates to “IN THE AIR, ON LAND, AND SEA.“ This personifies the capabilities of USS TRIPOLI as an amphibious warfare vessel and echoes a verse in the Marine Corps Hymn.

SUPPORTERS: The Navy Officer sword and Marine Corps Mameluke sword signify leadership and teamwork. The Marine Corps’ adoption of the Mameluke stems from O’Bannon being awarded the sword by Hamet Karamanli for his leadership and bravery in the decisive victory at Derne. This honor is further commemorated in the Marine Corps Hymn with “To the shores of Tripoli.” The Navy cutlass and Marine Corps NCO sword pay tribute to the enlisted team on the ship.

SEAL: The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval, edged gold, enclosed by a dark blue border edged on the outside with a gold rope and inscribed “USS TRIPOLI” above and “LHA 7” below in gold.

USS TRIPOLI (LHA 7)

BLAZON

SHIELD: Azure (Dark Blue), a pall inverted Gules, fimbriated Or between in dexter chief a sun in glory above a pictorial of sand dunes, all Proper, in sinister a demi-trident with the center tine as a lightning bolt of the third, and in base three bars wavy Celeste fimbriated Argent (Silver Gray) surmounted by a magnolia flower Proper; all within a diminished bordure of the third.

CREST: From a wreath Or and Azure (Dark Blue), three anchors Argent (Silver Gray) below a pair of Kentucky long rifles in saltire Proper, between five plates bendwise and five plates bendwise sinister; overall an eagle, wings inverted, Proper bearing the arms of the United States perched upon an arrow fasces fesswise Or to sinister, interlaced with an olive wreath Vert.

MOTTO: A tri-partite scroll Azure doubled Or inscribed “IN ÆRE TERRAM MARIQUE” Or. SUPPORTERS: Behind the shield, a USN Officer sword in dexter chief, a USMC Officer Mameluke sword in sinister chief, a USN cutlass in dexter base, and a USMC NCO sword in sinister base saltirewise points downward, all Proper.
 

SYMBOLISM

SHIELD: The colors of the shield--dark blue, red and gold--are associated with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. These specific colors represent both the current crew as well as the Marines and Sailors who fought in the Battle of Derne at Tripoli. The inverted pall partitions the shield into thirds, signifying LHA 7 as the third ship to bear the name USS TRIPOLI. The sun in glory above sand dunes depicts the 600-mile desert journey from Alexandria, Egypt to Derne, Tripoli led by General William Eaton, USA, and First Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon, USMC. The trident, featuring a lightning bolt, depicts the three prongs of USS TRIPOLI’s capabilities--air, land and sea. The lightning bolt also represents the F-35B “Lightning II” which USS TRIPOLI can fully support. The three bars wavy represent USS TRIPOLI’s ability to navigate across the oceans in defense of our national interests. The magnolia flower pays homage to the State of Mississippi, where USS TRIPOLI was built. All three venues--land, air and sea--are referenced in the shield to reflect and reinforce the ship’s motto.

CREST: The three anchors represent the USS ARGUS, USS HORNET and USS NAUTILUS that provided necessary support, supplies and money to Eaton and O’Bannon along the trek to Tripoli. Additionally, the ships aided Eaton and O’Bannon during the battle with cannon fire upon the enemy’s strongholds. The two Kentucky long rifles are in honor of O’Bannon serving in the Kentucky State Legislature and Senate after his military career as well as denoting his final resting place. Further, the rifles are angled to signify O’Bannon as the first person to raise the American flag in victory on foreign soil. The ten musket balls pay homage to the eight Marines and two Sailors who were engaged in the Battle of Derna. The eagle, bearing the arms of the United States, is emblematic of Eaton’s appointed position as a Consul of Tunis. The fasces, symbolic of leadership and authority, emphasizes Eaton’s diplomatic role. The arrow within the fasces conveys direction, as well as serves to imply a backing of military force. The olive wreath is associated with peace and compliments the conciliatory efforts made by Eaton prior to the Battle of Derna.

MOTTO: “IN ÆRE TERRAM MARIQUE“ translates to “IN THE AIR, ON LAND, AND SEA.“ This personifies the capabilities of USS TRIPOLI as an amphibious warfare vessel and echoes a verse in the Marine Corps Hymn.

SUPPORTERS: The Navy Officer sword and Marine Corps Mameluke sword signify leadership and teamwork. The Marine Corps’ adoption of the Mameluke stems from O’Bannon being awarded the sword by Hamet Karamanli for his leadership and bravery in the decisive victory at Derne. This honor is further commemorated in the Marine Corps Hymn with “To the shores of Tripoli.” The Navy cutlass and Marine Corps NCO sword pay tribute to the enlisted team on the ship.

SEAL: The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval, edged gold, enclosed by a dark blue border edged on the outside with a gold rope and inscribed “USS TRIPOLI” above and “LHA 7” below in gold.